Baydale
Well-Known Member
...but don't panic, no annoying, shiny bay ponies were damaged in the making of this report. 
Where to begin? As I made my plans for Barbury CIC** Jup wasn't feeling his usual self which appeared to be an airways problem, more than likely due to pollen. A course of Ventipulmin helped but then he went downhill again when I took him off it in time to compete, then rallied somewhat and could still manage to do sideways stuff, heave his bulk over 1.20m and pull his butt up hills - I've moved yards, so hills are my NBF (New Best Friend).
In the run-up to Catton he felt good so off I set, thinking I would see how he was in each bit and take a view. He did a nice dressage, doggy warming up but he does hate dressage; showjumped ok, maybe not as forward as I'd like so I couldn't see a stride for love nor money, and had one down that he spooked at. I felt really "handy" and had an issue with the backstrap on the NS Universal, hence the head tossing. I'll share it with you so you know How Not To Do It:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QqrzFIMKHk&feature=c4-overview&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw
The course wasn't much different to last year when he did his first Int there, so off we set with him feeling good (disclaimer: I'm rusty as hell and get very tired so have to ride accordingly, in this case very slowly.
)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mcf_IGqRM5I&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw
He pulled up the hill after 8 well, did the corner sweetly and we headed down to the hanging log to trakehner. This walked 4 but I remember from last year he did 5 and he has been ditchy in the past, so I planned 5. I got a neat spot to the first, sat up, looked up and he was about to take off and then changed his mind. His front legs went into the ditch (it's a big 'un), he tried to pull them out again, went back in, I hopped off (PointTwo detonated!) and he was about to pull out again but somehow ended up in the ditch, sideways on but upright, thank god! He couldn't get out as both ends were shut in but everyone was fab, we got his saddle off, the fence judge fed him polos and tried to calm him when he freaked at the vehicles etc behind him. They started taking the fence apart and were about to roll one of the two logs off the top when bingo, he popped out, neat as anything and without a mark on him, athletic pony! 
You can imagine my relief.
I don't know if it was a slow reaction from him that caused it or if I did something wrong, or maybe he hit a wall at 4-ish minutes of a 6 minute track, but this is the horse that jumped the big trakehner they have in the Advanced at Aston last time out so hardly ditchy of late? Anyhoo, we lived to tell the tale and other than being a bit stiff the next day he was fine.
To put the wheels back on the Baydale bus I took him to Lt Downham when I was teaching and he played lead pony to a couple of babies which he loved, squeaking and bucking on the spot when I made him stand and watch!
To finish I jumped the triple bar over the ditch - 3 times - as we couldn't get at the normal trakehner, but I'd done all the ditches I could find, and several times at that.
Operation BaydaleBackOnTrack commenced with Buckminster Novice last weekend, very local to me and I had Ralph entered too. Boy was it hot, but he managed a 32.5 dressage: the usual lousy walk and an hysterical moment when he tripped going into canter, stopped dead and implied that I'd taken his back teeth out; then a lovely clear show jumping but with 7 time!!! Yes, really, call me Granny and kick my butt next time please. The photos look pretty though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54ssPfxh_y4&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw
Click through to see a couple of very smiley faces:
http://www.everybodysmile.biz/cgi-b...1&imgcat=286-BAYDALE+JUPITER+McDonnell++Nicky
He came out of the start box squeaking and shot off, feeling fab from fence 1. I remember now what a cheeky monkey he is and shall be storing that in my memory banks as The Norm, anything less than that - unless he suddenly grows up - is not my Jupiter. I didn't hammer round but he gave me a great feel, pingy through the bounce, no eyelids batted at the trakehner or double of rails-over-ditches, straight as a die steps to skinny, cute into the water, so all in all a worthwhile and confidence-building outing. What I did like is how easily he does everything, very relaxed and using himself well - he is only 8 so I think there's a lot more to come from him, says she, hopefully.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUhAMZbY0dU&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw
I got 8 time so was never going to be placed, unless rosettes went to 15th, but at least we're heading the right way again. Plans are Shelford Novice then back to Int at Keysoe, Burnham Mkt, Lt Downham, Oasby and worry about my 2 star qualifications next year.
In other news, and I know he has a lot of fans, the Blue-and-White Pony with the huge ego was not feeling the lurve for it on Sunday. He set off like stink but at the first drop, the into space after the bounce, he stopped, then jumped awkwardly. He jumped the next fence (on the flat) well, then stopped at the trakehner so we'll be investigating what's bothering him. Considering he'd jumped 1.25m with his owner in a lesson earlier in the week, much to her delight after initial, and very vocal, protestations, there were no warning signs. Here's his show jumping, he had a fence down and felt as if the distances were a problem - shades of Rockingham maybe?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCTSFRooJPA&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw
And for pure entertainment, here is a pony that does not want to do dressage as it should be done!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m71pgzzUeB0&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw
And the link to some pro pics:
http://www.everybodysmile.biz/hoofp..._es260.php?Cat=360-RALPHIE G McDonnell Nicky
I've got a Scotch egg and a secret stash of chocolate buttons somewhere if you've made it this far. Enjoy!
Where to begin? As I made my plans for Barbury CIC** Jup wasn't feeling his usual self which appeared to be an airways problem, more than likely due to pollen. A course of Ventipulmin helped but then he went downhill again when I took him off it in time to compete, then rallied somewhat and could still manage to do sideways stuff, heave his bulk over 1.20m and pull his butt up hills - I've moved yards, so hills are my NBF (New Best Friend).
In the run-up to Catton he felt good so off I set, thinking I would see how he was in each bit and take a view. He did a nice dressage, doggy warming up but he does hate dressage; showjumped ok, maybe not as forward as I'd like so I couldn't see a stride for love nor money, and had one down that he spooked at. I felt really "handy" and had an issue with the backstrap on the NS Universal, hence the head tossing. I'll share it with you so you know How Not To Do It:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QqrzFIMKHk&feature=c4-overview&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw
The course wasn't much different to last year when he did his first Int there, so off we set with him feeling good (disclaimer: I'm rusty as hell and get very tired so have to ride accordingly, in this case very slowly.
)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mcf_IGqRM5I&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw
He pulled up the hill after 8 well, did the corner sweetly and we headed down to the hanging log to trakehner. This walked 4 but I remember from last year he did 5 and he has been ditchy in the past, so I planned 5. I got a neat spot to the first, sat up, looked up and he was about to take off and then changed his mind.
His front legs went into the ditch (it's a big 'un), he tried to pull them out again, went back in, I hopped off (PointTwo detonated!) and he was about to pull out again but somehow ended up in the ditch, sideways on but upright, thank god! He couldn't get out as both ends were shut in but everyone was fab, we got his saddle off, the fence judge fed him polos and tried to calm him when he freaked at the vehicles etc behind him. They started taking the fence apart and were about to roll one of the two logs off the top when bingo, he popped out, neat as anything and without a mark on him, athletic pony! You can imagine my relief.I don't know if it was a slow reaction from him that caused it or if I did something wrong, or maybe he hit a wall at 4-ish minutes of a 6 minute track, but this is the horse that jumped the big trakehner they have in the Advanced at Aston last time out so hardly ditchy of late? Anyhoo, we lived to tell the tale and other than being a bit stiff the next day he was fine.
To put the wheels back on the Baydale bus I took him to Lt Downham when I was teaching and he played lead pony to a couple of babies which he loved, squeaking and bucking on the spot when I made him stand and watch!
To finish I jumped the triple bar over the ditch - 3 times - as we couldn't get at the normal trakehner, but I'd done all the ditches I could find, and several times at that.Operation BaydaleBackOnTrack commenced with Buckminster Novice last weekend, very local to me and I had Ralph entered too. Boy was it hot, but he managed a 32.5 dressage: the usual lousy walk and an hysterical moment when he tripped going into canter, stopped dead and implied that I'd taken his back teeth out; then a lovely clear show jumping but with 7 time!!! Yes, really, call me Granny and kick my butt next time please. The photos look pretty though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54ssPfxh_y4&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw
Click through to see a couple of very smiley faces:
http://www.everybodysmile.biz/cgi-b...1&imgcat=286-BAYDALE+JUPITER+McDonnell++Nicky
He came out of the start box squeaking and shot off, feeling fab from fence 1. I remember now what a cheeky monkey he is and shall be storing that in my memory banks as The Norm, anything less than that - unless he suddenly grows up - is not my Jupiter. I didn't hammer round but he gave me a great feel, pingy through the bounce, no eyelids batted at the trakehner or double of rails-over-ditches, straight as a die steps to skinny, cute into the water, so all in all a worthwhile and confidence-building outing. What I did like is how easily he does everything, very relaxed and using himself well - he is only 8 so I think there's a lot more to come from him, says she, hopefully.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUhAMZbY0dU&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw
I got 8 time so was never going to be placed, unless rosettes went to 15th, but at least we're heading the right way again. Plans are Shelford Novice then back to Int at Keysoe, Burnham Mkt, Lt Downham, Oasby and worry about my 2 star qualifications next year.
In other news, and I know he has a lot of fans, the Blue-and-White Pony with the huge ego was not feeling the lurve for it on Sunday. He set off like stink but at the first drop, the into space after the bounce, he stopped, then jumped awkwardly. He jumped the next fence (on the flat) well, then stopped at the trakehner so we'll be investigating what's bothering him. Considering he'd jumped 1.25m with his owner in a lesson earlier in the week, much to her delight after initial, and very vocal, protestations, there were no warning signs. Here's his show jumping, he had a fence down and felt as if the distances were a problem - shades of Rockingham maybe?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCTSFRooJPA&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw
And for pure entertainment, here is a pony that does not want to do dressage as it should be done!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m71pgzzUeB0&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw
And the link to some pro pics:
http://www.everybodysmile.biz/hoofp..._es260.php?Cat=360-RALPHIE G McDonnell Nicky
I've got a Scotch egg and a secret stash of chocolate buttons somewhere if you've made it this far. Enjoy!
(I think that's an error of syntax as I'm not sure salads can be virtuous...)
The next instalment will be next month as we're both having some r&r.